Onboarding distributed control node using secondary channel

A distributed control node (DCN) comprising circuitry to:

• establish a temporary out-of-band communication channel with a provisioning DCN, wherein the temporary out-of-band communication channel is distinct from a process automation network through which the DCN is to be communicatively coupled with other process automation nodes of a process automation system;
• receive, from the provisioning DCN via the temporary out-of-band communication channel, information technology (IT) configuration data and operational technology (OT) configuration data;
• based on the IT configuration data, join the process automation network;
• and
• based on the OT configuration data, cooperate with one or more of the other process automation nodes of the process automation system to implement an at least partially automated process.

At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium for provisioning a first distributed control node (DCN) for operation as part of a process automation system, the medium comprising instructions that, on execution by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

• establish a temporary out-of-band communication channel between the first DCN and a second DCN, wherein the temporary out-of-band communication channel is distinct from a process automation network through which the first DCN is to be communicatively coupled with other process automation nodes of the process automation system;
• transmit provisioning data from the second DCN to the first DCN over the temporary out-of-band communication channel, wherein the provisioning data includes:
• information technology (IT) configuration data that is usable by the first DCN to join the process automation network, and
• operational technology (OT) configuration data that is usable by the first DCN to cooperate with one or more of the other process automation nodes of the process automation system to implement an at least partially automated process;
• and
• subsequent to the transmission of the provisioning data, close the temporary out-of-band communication channel.